Thirty-six points behind, defending champions St Cross Symondians have a bit to do if they are to wrest the ECB Southern Premier Division title out of Bashley Rydal’s waiting hands.
But with three games to go they top the 50-over pennant table, three points ahead of the champions-in-waiting after a comprehensive seven-wicket win at Lymington, who have lost their last four matches.
They whipped Lymington, the early season pacemakers, out for 146 and coasted to victory on the back of an unbroken century stand between Max Curtis [pictured] and Matt Stokes.
South African Marvin Williams (3-28) and Simon Beetham (2-15) thrived in the damp, blustery conditions and reduced Lymington to 57-5.
Although seven batsmen got into double figures, only teenager Dan Cox (38) got more than 20.
The emerging Island-based spin all-rounder was supported by Matt Metcalfe and Josh Royan as Lymington’s ninth wicket yielded 44 runs before Hampshire prospects Harry Came and Felix Organ bagged two wickets each to terminate the innings.
Came went quickly when St Cross replied and Metcalfe (2-38) nipped out Billy Mead (22) and Felix Organ second ball at 44-3.
But a St Cross victory was never really in doubt once Curtis (56) and Matt Stokes (44) found their bearings. They added an unbroken 103 as St Cross cantered home with 16 overs to spare.
But with three games to go they top the 50-over pennant table, three points ahead of the champions-in-waiting after a comprehensive seven-wicket win at Lymington, who have lost their last four matches.
They whipped Lymington, the early season pacemakers, out for 146 and coasted to victory on the back of an unbroken century stand between Max Curtis [pictured] and Matt Stokes.
South African Marvin Williams (3-28) and Simon Beetham (2-15) thrived in the damp, blustery conditions and reduced Lymington to 57-5.
Although seven batsmen got into double figures, only teenager Dan Cox (38) got more than 20.
The emerging Island-based spin all-rounder was supported by Matt Metcalfe and Josh Royan as Lymington’s ninth wicket yielded 44 runs before Hampshire prospects Harry Came and Felix Organ bagged two wickets each to terminate the innings.
Came went quickly when St Cross replied and Metcalfe (2-38) nipped out Billy Mead (22) and Felix Organ second ball at 44-3.
But a St Cross victory was never really in doubt once Curtis (56) and Matt Stokes (44) found their bearings. They added an unbroken 103 as St Cross cantered home with 16 overs to spare.
